Best power supply 850w: Top 8 Best 850W Modular PSUs in 2023 — 80+ Gold Certified / RGB / Smart Fan

Top 8 Best 850W Modular PSUs in 2023 — 80+ Gold Certified / RGB / Smart Fan

The PSU is the one responsible for distributing power to all your components.

The power supply that you should use is robust so that your other PC components will not face power shortage and cause the system to crash or reboot.

An 850W PSU is on the higher side since most budget desktop pcs are made using 550W PSUs. If you are going to install high power components like a powerful graphics card and cpu then you certainly need a high power psu in the range of 850W.

The high end nvidia gpus like RTX 3090, 2080 and those from amd like RX6800 are power hungry gpus that will need a lot of power when under heavy load processing gaming graphics or other 3d applications.

Consider the following build:

  • i9-11900K — 125W
  • RTX 3080Ti/3090 — 350W
  • ATX motherboard
  • 32GB RAM (16gx2)
  • 1TB SSD

Such a system would easily need around 650W. If you overclock, the power requirement would go even up. The best option for such a high end build would be an 850W PSU that can provide sufficient power even under overclocking.

Moreover if you are looking forward to setting up a multi-gpu system like SLI then also the power requirements of the PC shall go up. Though with a 850w psu you can setup a dual gpu setup with an rtx 3060Ti only and no higher. If you plan to use a RTX 3080 or 3090 dual gpu setup then you would need more than 900 watts of power from your cpu.

Other kinds of builds needing higher power supply include those using Ryzen Threadripper 3990X cpus as those are some of the most power hungry cpus.

Corsair HX850i PSU

There are some other components that could draw more power depending on your specific build. For example if you plan to install lots of RGB led strips or custom water cooling loops, they shall need more power compared to ordinary builds.

It should be kept in mind that the system does not draw in that much of power all the time, but only under heavy load or peak conditions, and the psu should be able to provide adequate power under all load conditions.

Higher power psu puts less strain on the internal components of the psu thereby increasing its life-span. Lower power psus will often suffice but will stress their components more to draw higher power when necessary.

A high power PSU also ensures that it will be able to power more components in future that you might be adding or upgrading to, making it future proof.

With that, let’s take a look at the top 850W Modular PSUs that will reliably and efficiently power up your PC.

Here are some of our top picks for modular psus with 850 watt power supply. These are a mix of semi modular and fully modular designs.

1.
ARESGAME 850W 80+ Gold Modular PSU (AGK850) —

Fully Modular, ATX, 850W, 80+ Gold, 100V-240V, 120mm Fan, OVP/UVP/OPP/SCP/OCP, Connectors: 1x Mainboard Power (20+4 Pin) / 4x PCI-E (6+2 Pin) / 1x CPU Power 8 pin + 8 (4+4) Pin / 3x Molex / 6x SATA / 1x FDD

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2.
GAMEMAX RGB-850 80+ Gold 850W Modular PSU —

Fully Modular, ATX12V/ATX, 850W, 80+ Gold Certified, 100V — 240V, 140mm High AirFlow ARGB Ring Fan, OVP/UVP/OPP/SCP/OCP, Connectors: 1x Mainboard Power (20+4 Pin) / 2x PCI-E (6+2 Pin) / 2x CPU 12V 8 pin (4+4) Pin / 3x Molex / 8x SATA / 1x FDD

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3.
EVGA SuperNOVA 850 P2 80+ Platinum 850W Fully Modular PSU —

Fully Modular, ATX12V/EPS12V/ATX, 850W, 80+ Platinum Certified, 100V — 240V, 140mm Fan, OVP/UVP/OPP/SCP/OCP, Connectors: 1x Mainboard Power (20+4 Pin) / 4x PCI-E (6+2 Pin) / 2x 6 PCI-E Pin / 2x CPU 12V 8 pin (4+4) / 4x Peripheral / 10x SATA / 1x FDD

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4.
Thermaltake Toughpower Grand RGB 850W 80+ Gold Modular PSU —

Fully Modular, ATX 12V v2.4/EPS v2.92/ATX, 850W, 80+ Gold Certified, 100V — 240V, 140mm Smart Fan, OVP/UVP/OPP/SCP/OCP, Connectors: 1x Mainboard Power (20+4 Pin) / 6x PCI-E (6+2 Pin) / 2x CPU 12V 8 pin (4+4) / 4x Molex (4 pin) / 12x SATA / 1x FDD

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5.
ROG Thor 850W 80+ Platinum Modular PSU —

Fully Modular, ATX 12V/ATX, 850W, 80+ Platinum Certified, 100V — 240V, 135mm Patented ASUS Wing-blade Fan, OVP/OTP/OPP/SCP, Connectors: 1x Mainboard Power (20+4 Pin) / 4x PCI-E (6+2 Pin) / 2x CPU 12V 8 pin (4+4), 5x Molex (4 pin) / 12x SATA / 1x FDD

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6.
Rosewill Glacier Series 850W 80+ Bronze Modular PSU —

Semi-Modular, ATX 12V v2.3/EPS12V v2.92/ATX, 850W, 80+ Bronze Certified, 100V — 240V, 135mm Fan with AutoSpeed Control, OVP/OTP/OPP/OCP/UVP/SCP, Connectors: 1x Mainboard Power (20+4 Pin) / 4x PCI-E (6+2 Pin) / 1x CPU 12V 8 pin / 1x CPU 12V 4+4 pin / 6x Molex (4 pin) / 8x SATA, 2x FDD

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7.
NZXT NP-C850M 850W 80+ Gold Modular PSU —

Fully Modular, ATX 12V v2.4/EPS12V v2.92/ATX, 850W, 80+ Gold Certified, 100V — 240V, 120mm Fan, OVP/OTP/OPP/OCP/UVP/SCP, Connectors: 1x Mainboard Power (20+4 Pin) / 2x CPU power (4+4 pin) / 6x PCI-E (6+2 Pin) / 6x Molex / 8x SATA

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8.
Corsair RM850x 850W 80+ Gold Modular PSU —

Fully Modular, ATX 12V v2.4/EPS12V v2.92/ATX, 850W, 80+ Gold Certified, 100V — 240V, 140mm Fan, OVP/OTP/OPP/UVP/SCP, Connectors: 1x Mainboard Power (20+4 Pin) / 6x PCI-E (6+2 Pin) / 2x CPU 12V 8 pin (4+4) / 8x Molex (4 pin) / 6x SATA / 4x SATA / 2x FDD

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1.

Aresgame 850W 80+ Gold Modular PSU (AGK850)

AresGame is a newcomer to the PSU industry. It is looking to take its place in the market where household brands such as Corsair and EVGA are dominating.

With the ARESGAME 850W, they have entered the competition and are here to stay with how much it is undercutting the other PSU in its price range.

Aresgame 850W 80+ Gold Modular PSU (AGK850)

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Features

  • Fully Modular
  • Form Factor: ATX
  • Wattage: 850W
  • 80+ Gold Certified
  • VAC Input: 100V — 240V
  • Fan: 120mm
  • Protection: OVP, UVP, OPP, SCP, OCP
  • SECC black coating casing, black bushing cables and connectors
  • Honeycomb ventilation design for optimal heat dissipation
  • Connectors: 1x Mainboard Power (20+4 Pin), 4x PCI-E (6+2 Pin), 1x CPU Power 8 pin + 8 (4+4) Pin, 3x Molex Peripheral , 6x SATA , 1x FDD
  • 12 Months Full Refund, 3 Years Limited Warranty

Review

The AGK850 is a quality PSU with groundbreakingly cheap prices. At the first glance, you would be skeptical to invest in a PSU from an unknown brand with a cheap price tag, but do not be fooled. With an 80 Plus Gold Certified rating, the AGK850 can provide up to 90% power efficiency at 100% load.

With its fully modular design, you will not worry about the unused cables tangling around inside your system unit. It also has efficient heat dissipation, meaning more useful power will be produced, instead of being wasted as heat. This also means the fan will be relatively quiet.

2. GAMEMAX 850W Fully Modular Power Supply (RGB-850)

GameMax is on the same boat with Aresgame, in terms of being fresh to the scene. The GameMax RGB-850 provides a stylish and economical way to power your PC. It has a good design, improved by its ARGB functionality.

GAMEMAX 850W Fully Modular Power Supply (RGB-850)

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Features

  • Fully Modular
  • Form Factor: ATX12V, ATX
  • Wattage: 850W
  • Efficiency Rating: 80 Plus Gold Certified
  • VAC Input: 100V — 240V
  • Fan: 140mm High AirFlow ARGB Ring Fan
  • Protection: Over Voltage Protection, Under Voltage Protection, Over Power Protection, Short Circuit Protection, Over Current Protection, Input Surge and Inrush Protection
  • High-end SECC black coating casing
  • Honeycomb ventilation design for optimal heat dissipation.
  • Addressable RGB Lighting with Control
  • Connectors: 1x Mainboard Power (20+4 Pin), 2x PCI-E (6+2 Pin), 2x CPU 12V 8 pin (4+4), 3x Molex Peripheral, 8x SATA, 1x FDD
  • 3 Years Warranty

Review

The GameMax RGB-850 emphasizes its value and performance rating. It has a powerful single 12V rail that provides decent DC output, which can support a wide range of high-end graphic cards and CPUs. The eye-turning RGB fans along with their honeycomb ventilation do a lot of cooling to the PSU.

You can also rest assured that the RGB-850 is not a risk to your other components with multiple international security standard certificates to its name. Not only that, it is only slightly more expensive than the AGK850, which is still a good deal, considering that it provides a customizable RGB effect. In terms of efficiency, it can also provide up to around 90% of its wattage and a 0.9 active power factor.

3. EVGA SuperNOVA 850W Fully Modular Power Supply (850 P2)

The first PSU with a household name to appear on this list is the EVGA SuperNOVA 850 P2. It has an 80+ Platinum rating, boasting up to 92% efficiency on regular load. It also features a Japanese Capacitor design that enhances the PSU’s longevity because it uses high-quality electrolytes.

EVGA SuperNOVA 850W Fully Modular Power Supply (850 P2)

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Features

  • Fully Modular
  • Form Factor: ATX12V and EPS12V
  • Wattage: 850W
  • Efficiency Rating: 80 Plus Platinum Certified
  • VAC Input: 100V — 240V
  • Fan: 140mm Double Ball Bearing fan
  • 100% Japanese Capacitor Design
  • Protection: Over Voltage Protection, Under Voltage Protection, Over Power Protection, Short Circuit Protection, Over Current Protection
  • Connectors: 1x Mainboard Power (20+4 Pin), 4x PCI-E (6+2 Pin), 2x 6 PCI-E Pin, 2x CPU 12V 8 pin (4+4), 4x Peripheral, 10x SATA, 1x FDD
  • EVGA 10 Year Warranty With Registration

Review

The SuperNOVA 850 P2 is expensive, but in terms of how reliable and efficient its performance is, it is justified. It also has a stable 12V rail that blows away other competitors in its category. The fan scales well even if you amped up the load of the PSU to up to 90%.

It reaches the 35 dBA point only when the load is at 100%. This is made possible by its high-quality dual-ball bearing fan that will not spin until it reaches higher loads.

Another point of interest is EVGA’s 10 Year Warranty. This shows how confident EVGA is with their product, indicating that it can last you for many years and can outlast many of your other PC components.

4. Thermaltake Toughpower Grand RGB 850W Fully Modular Power Supply

Another powerhouse for PC components, Thermaltake approached the PSU market by being among the first ones to incorporate RGB lighting into the PSUs and that’s what they did to this model. The Thermaltake Toughpower Grand RGB 850W has a bright 14-LED RGB ring fan that has 5 different lighting modes, which can be controlled with a button.

Thermaltake Toughpower Grand RGB 850W Fully Modular Power Supply

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Features

  • Fully Modular
  • Form Factor: ATX, ATX 12V v2. 4 and EPS v2.92
  • Wattage: 850W
  • Efficiency Rating: 80 Plus Gold Certified
  • VAC Input: 100V — 240V
  • Fan: 140mm Hydraulic Bearing RGB Fan
  • Ultra Quiet Smart Zero Fan
  • Side Ventilation Design
  • 100% Japanese Capacitor Design
  • Protection: Over Voltage Protection, Under Voltage Protection, Over Power Protection, Short Circuit Protection, and Over Current Protection
  • Connectors: 1x Mainboard Power (20+4 Pin), 6x PCI-E (6+2 Pin), 2x CPU 12V 8 pin (4+4), 4x Peripheral (4 pin), 12x SATA, 1x FDD
  • 10 Year Warranty

Review

It features an Ultra Quiet Smart Zero Fan that only starts when the load is at 20%. This setting can be turned off with a switch that is located on the PSU itself. It has a sturdy design that is also maximized for airflow by putting vents at the side of the PSU. Its cables are also flat, and since it is also fully modular, it means that it will not be an obstruction inside your system unit.

With its 80 Plus Gold rating, it promises up to around 90% efficiency with higher loads. It also features a low ripple noise, not exceeding 30 mV. This means that the periodic variation of the DC voltage is not high and will not affect other components with voltage spikes.

Thermaltake is known for its vibrant colors that it applies to its different PC components. Coupled with the Toughpower Grand RGB 850W’s strong and efficient performance, this PSU is a must-buy for users who value form at the same level as functionality.

5. ASUS ROG Thor 850W Fully-Modular Power Supply

Republic of Gamers (ROG) is the flagship brand of ASUS, targeted towards a subset of their usual customers, gamers. The Thor product line is the first PSUs that Asus had ever released. Consistent with ROGs premium and high-end branding, the OEM for this product is Seasonic.

ASUS ROG Thor 850W Fully-Modular Power Supply

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Features

  • Fully Modular
  • Form Factor: ATX, ATX 12V
  • Wattage: 850W
  • Efficiency Rating: 80 Plus Platinum Certified
  • VAC Input: 100V — 240V
  • Fan: 135mm Patented ASUS Wing-blade Fan
  • Asus Aura Sync Compatible RGB Lighting
  • OLED Power Display
  • 100% Japanese Capacitor Design
  • Sleeved Cables
  • ROG Heatsink
  • Protection: Over Voltage Protection, Over Power Protection, Short Circuit Protection, and Over Temperature Protection
  • Connectors: 1x Mainboard Power (20+4 Pin), 4x PCI-E (6+2 Pin), 2x CPU 12V 8 pin (4+4), 5x Peripheral (4 pin), 12x SATA, 1x FDD, 2x RGB sync cables
  • 10 Year Warranty

Review

From the first glance, you’d know that the ROG Thor 850W PSU towers are above the rest in terms of aesthetics. With its real-time power draw monitoring using OLED Power Display and its Aura Sync ARGB illumination, they make the exterior design of the Thor 850W premium. The ARGB lighting is highly customizable with Asus’ accompanying program, Aura Sync.

The interior is just as strong as the exterior, if not more. They enhanced the heatsink configuration so that the speed of the fan will not ramp up and make noise. The fan that the Thor 850W uses is Asus’ own wing-blade fan, which utilizes the thermal sensors of the PSU for smart speed adjusting.

It also features Japanese capacitors, which makes power conversion more reliable. As a testament to that, the DC output, when tested, provided a peak value of around 20mV ripple noise on the 12V rail and about 5 mV lower for the lower voltage rails.

The cherry on top for this PSU is its 10-year warranty, meaning Asus ROG is confident that they can maintain this high-level performance for a long time without malfunctioning.

Elite exterior aesthetic, strong build quality, almost non-existent noise levels on moderate loads, excellent and efficient power performance, and innovations that advance the competition, you could not ask any more from a PSU with Asus ROG’s entry to the market.

The only drawback for this unit is its price, with it being the most expensive PSU on this list. But Asus’ flagship brand ROG is not marketed for budget enthusiasts anyway. Its goal is to provide high-end and premium products, like the Thor 850W.

6. Rosewill Glacier 850W Modular Power Supply

Like the first two entries, this PSU from Rosewill is aimed towards the budget category. This 80+ Bronze Certified PSU can produce up to 87% power efficiency as promised by Rosewill. The OEM for this is Rosewill’s own Rosewill Direct.

Rosewill Glacier 850W Modular Power Supply

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Features

  • Semi-Modular
  • Form Factor: ATX 12V v2.3 / EPS 12V v2.92
  • Wattage: 850W
  • Efficiency Rating: 80 Plus Bronze Certified
  • VAC Input: 100V-240V
  • Fan: 135mm Aero-Diversion Fan with Auto Fan Speed Control
  • Protection: Over Voltage Protection, Over Power Protection, Short Circuit Protection, Over Current Protection, Under Voltage Protection, and Over Temperature Protection
  • Connectors: 1x Mainboard Power (20+4 Pin), 4x PCI-E (6+2 Pin), 1x CPU 12V 8 pin, 1x CPU 12V 4+4 pin, 6x Molex Peripheral (4 pin), 8x SATA, 2x FDD
  • 3 Year Warranty

Review

The Rosewill Glacier Series 850W can provide enough wattage for a decent PC build without difficulty. With its 135mm Aero-Diversion Fan, it is designed to have low noise levels on moderate loads. It has an Intelligent Thermal Operation that automatically adjusts the fan speed in response to varying temperatures. It also has a 3-year warranty if you’re not satisfied with Rosewill’s product.

This model is also the first semi-modular form to appear on this list. It means that the basic cables that are often used for most PC builds are not detachable while the other cables are.

7. NZXT 850 Watt Power Supply (C850)

NZXT’s entry to this list is with the C850M 850W 80+ Gold. The C850M features a reliable and efficient power performance. The C850M is manufactured by NZXT’s C-series manufacturer, Seasonic.

NZXT 850 Watt Power Supply (C850)

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Features

  • Fully Modular
  • Form Factor: ATX, ATX12V v2.4 / EPS12V v2.92
  • Wattage: 850W
  • Efficiency Rating: 80 Plus Gold Certified
  • VAC Input: 100V-240V
  • Fan: 120mm Fluid Dynamic Bearing Fan
  • Sleeved Main Cables
  • Protection: Over Voltage Protection, Over Power Protection, Short Circuit Protection, Over Current Protection, Under Voltage Protection, and Over Temperature Protection
  • Connectors: 1x Mainboard Power (20+4 Pin), 2x CPU power (4+4 pin), 6x PCI-E (6+2 Pin), 6x Peripherals, 8x SATA
  • 10 Year Warranty

Review

The C850M is a solid role-player in the mid-range PSU category. It has a simple black exterior and design which goes well with minimalist builds. The interior also has a nice build quality. It has a lower capacity bulk cap that greatly affects hold-up time.

It also offers low noise levels on low loads. This is made possible by its 120mm fluid-dynamic bearing fan. It also extends the life of its fan with these adjustments. The efficiency for this 80+ Gold Certified PSU can reach up to around 90% on 50% to 100% load.

It might pale in comparison to other PSUs in terms of aesthetic and flashy features, but the C850M is still a solid investment for those who value functionality over form.

8. Corsair RMX Series 850W Power Supply (RM850x)

Corsair originally started off producing memory-related products such as RAMs. They eventually tried to expand and their next venture is towards PSUs, which they also became known for, releasing good market competitors consecutively. One of those is the RM850x 850W 80+ Gold.

Corsair RMX Series 850W Power Supply (RM850x)

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Features

  • Fully Modular
  • Form Factor: ATX, ATX12V v2. 4 / EPS12V v2.92
  • Wattage: 850W
  • Efficiency Rating: 80 Plus Gold Certified
  • VAC Input: 100V-240V
  • Fan: 140mm Rifle Bearing Fan
  • Zero RPM Mode
  • 100% Japanese Capacitor Design
  • Sleeved and Flat Cables
  • Protection: Over Voltage Protection, Over Power Protection, Short Circuit Protection, Under Voltage Protection, and Over Temperature Protection
  • Connectors: 1x Mainboard Power (20+4 Pin), 6x PCI-E (6+2 Pin), 2x CPU 12V 8 pin (4+4), 8x Peripheral (4 pin), 6x SATA, 4x SATA, 2x FDD
  • 10 Year

Review

The Corsair RM850x is a mid-range PSU and gives tight voltage control for each component. With an 80+ Gold rating, it is expected to have around 90% efficiency and maybe even more. This is made possible by its use of 100% Japanese Capacitors Design.

It also implements Corsair’s special Zero RPM Fan Mode, where the fan stops operating on low to medium loads. The fan will start when it detects higher heat dissipation.

Corsair’s approach with this product is to keep it simple and focus on optimizing the factors where a PSU should stand out. It managed to find a balance of good power performance, high build quality, low noise levels, and a decent price tag.

In other words, the Corsair RM850x 850W 80+ Gold Certified exhibits all the qualifications of a good PSU.

Conclusion

Choosing a Power Supply Unit is not as complicated as the PC building community makes it out to be. Once you know the power requirement of your PC, you just have to be aware of how the efficiency calculation works. Make sure you leave an allowance for future upgrades and maximizing the ability of your whole set-up.

Do not get me wrong, it is not complicated but it is definitely crucial. A malfunctioning PSU is not only a danger to your PC components but also to your own safety. By investing in a good PSU, you are essentially investing in every component of your PC. You’re extending their life expectancy by preventing them from being vulnerable to power surges from a defective PSU.

They might not be the most visually appealing component for your PC, however, it still carries the huge burden of how your PC operates, so it would be in your best interest to make an informed decision about the PSU that you’ll be trusting your components with.

Links and Resources

For more information about the products, check out their official site at the following links:

#1. Aresgame 850W 80+ Gold Modular PSU (AGK850)
#2. GAMEMAX 850W Fully Modular Power Supply (RGB-850)
#3. EVGA SuperNOVA 850W Fully Modular Power Supply (850 P2)
#4. Thermaltake Toughpower Grand RGB 850W Fully Modular Power Supply
#5. ASUS ROG Thor 850W Fully-Modular Power Supply
#6. Rosewill Glacier 850W Modular Power Supply
#7. NZXT 850 Watt Power Supply (C850)
#8. Corsair RMX Series 850W Power Supply (RM850x)

Best Modular Power Supplies of 2023

TABLE OF CONTENTS

1

Picking a suitable power supply is critical, as it’s one of the core elements of your PC build.

Although saving cash on your PSU might seem like an excellent way to cut corners to get yourself a nicer CPU/GPU, going too far can be quite disastrous.

Be careful.

Modular power supplies not only help your PC build look cleaner with a more comfortable cable management experience, but they’re often also built better than their regular counterparts.

Although buying a modular PSU doesn’t guarantee it, it does improve the chances of landing better quality units.

If you’re looking for a quick list of recommended modular (semi and full) power supplies, for either gaming or heavy rendering workloads – here you go:

Best Modular PSUs List

Range Model name Wattage Efficiency
500-600W CORSAIR TX-M Series TX550M CP-9020133 550W 80-Plus Gold
601-700W EVGA 650 B5 220-B5-0650-V1 650W 80-Plus Bronze
CORSAIR RM650 CP-9020194 650W 80-Plus Gold
701-1000W SEASONIC FOCUS GX-850 SSR-850FX 850W 80-Plus Gold
CORSAIR RMx RM850x CP-9020180 850W 80-Plus Gold
be quiet! DARK POWER PRO 11 850 Silent BN253 850W / 1000W 80-Plus Platinum
> 1001W be quiet! DARK POWER PRO 11 1200 BN255 1200W 80-Plus Platinum
CORSAIR AX1600i CP-9020087 1600W 80-Plus Titanium

(Thanks to those maintaining the PSU Tier List on the LinusTechTips Forum)

If you’re curious why I chose these models, read on!

Good Power Supplies vs.

Bad Power Supplies

There are numerous horror stories out there of things going horribly wrong. A power supply failure is unique as it directly powers so many of your (likely) pricier components – increasing the chance of it frying other parts with it.

A bad/cheap power supply usually does ‘work’ as long as it’s not pushed to the limit. I have experienced this first-hand!

My Corsair CX 500W (the old one) burned up as soon as I upgraded my graphics card on my old PC (2013). Not only did IT conk out, but it also took my motherboard with it.

Thankfully, nothing else.

Image-Credit: Seasonic

The PSU had worked quite well on my old build for a good two years without any issues whatsoever. My guess is, the total power draw got dangerously close to full load, and that’s what caused the mishap.

What is a Modular Power Supply?

Modular power supply units or PSUs, allow you to attach only the power cables that your PC will need.

It reduces the nest of cables inside your case, ensuring that you’re managing only those that your PC uses.

Image-Credit: Corsair – Detachable cables on a fully-modular PSU

Traditional power supplies come with non-removable cables, so if you don’t need that extra PCI-E power connector, you have no choice but to stuff it out of sight somewhere.

Modular Power Supplies: Are they

always good/better than the rest?

From a purely probabilistic point-of-view, yes, a modular power supply is more likely to be of better quality than a regular PSU because they’re among the more ‘premium’ products offered by manufacturers.

However, this doesn’t mean that terrible modular PSUs don’t exist. Don’t take modularity as a sure-shot sign of quality to be safe.

Fully-Modular vs. Semi-Modular PSUs: What’s the difference?

When it comes to modularity, there are two types. Fully-modular PSUs go all the way and allow you to connect all your components as needed, including CPU power and motherboard power.

On the other hand, semi-modular PSUs come with a few core components (8-pin CPU power, 24-pin ATX motherboard power, etc.) permanently attached.

So, what’s the benefit of going fully-modular when you pretty much have to connect core components anyway?

Well, you can do something like this:

Image-Source: Deepcool

Now, you can achieve this with semi-modular and regular power supplies as well, but it means dealing with cable extensions and adding even more clutter to your build.

It’s better to go with fully-modular power supplies if you see yourself making aesthetic improvements down the line.

Our Modular PSU Recommendations

Although I know there are quite a few impressive power supplies at every price point, I’ve tried to stick to models that are available across most regions.

For manufacturers that vary part numbers by region, I have included the base part numbers ones to make your search easier.

PSUs Between 500W and 600W

I don’t recommend going modular at this wattage range unless you really need to because these units do end up being a bit too pricey for my liking. However, people building PCs with smaller form-factors with low-profile GPUs that need every bit of space they can get, or if you’re aiming for low-power systems, you might find them worth it.

Best 550W Modular Power Supply Unit (PSU)

CORSAIR TX-M Series TX550M 80-Plus Gold (Semi-Modular)

Image-Source: Corsair

Corsair’s semi-modular power supply comes in at a reasonable price without compromising on quality way too much. If you want a power supply that will easily handle future upgrades, I’d suggest looking into the 650W options below as well.

Part Number: CP-9020133

Power Supplies Between 601W and 700W

For gamers who want some freedom when it comes to future upgradability, this is the ideal wattage tier for modular power supplies.

Gaming PCs generally won’t need more than 650W of power (10th Generation Intel might change this; watch out for an update after it launches).

Best 650W Modular Power Supplies

Budget Pick: EVGA 650 B5 80-Plus Bronze (Fully-Modular)

Image-Credit: EVGA

EVGA’s modular option at 650W is quite attractive, and I wholeheartedly recommend the 650 B5 for gaming systems.

Although its price isn’t exorbitant, it does offer a host of protection features like OVP, UVP, OCP, OPP, SCP, and OTP (if you’re not sure what these are, we’ve covered them in this guide to picking Power Supply Units)

Nonetheless, if you’re going to be pushing it to the limit for extended durations, I’d skip this and go for the premium recommendation below.

Part Number: 220-B5-0650-V1

Premium Pick: CORSAIR RM650 80-Plus Gold (Fully-Modular)

Image-Credit: Corsair

Corsair offers decent value with its RM series PSUs, and the 650W option is no exception. If you’re going to be running workloads like renders at this wattage tier, this is the product I’d recommend. It does come with a 10-year warranty as well, so that’s quite attractive as well.

Part Number: CP-9020194

Power Supplies Between 701W and 1000W

While most gaming systems won’t need power at this tier, if you’re aiming for a top-tier build, it’s not outside the realm of possibility.

The recommendations here are a bit different than the lower wattage tiers. Even the ‘budget’ options are built exceptionally well with all popular safety features available.

Hence, the premium recommendation will focus on a few extras like a higher efficiency rating, silent operation, and so on.

Best 850W Modular Power Supplies

Budget Option #1: SEASONIC FOCUS GX-850 80-Plus Gold (Fully-Modular)

Image-Credit: Seasonic

Budget Option #2: CORSAIR RMx Series™ RM850x 80-Plus Gold (Fully-Modular)

Image-Credit: Corsair

Seasonic and Corsair both come in at attractive prices for an 850W power supply without compromising on quality. If you find both these options available in your region at similar rates, go for Seasonic over the Corsair unit.

Part Numbers: SSR-850FX (Seasonic) / CP-9020180 (Corsair)

Premium Option: be quiet! DARK POWER PRO 11 Silent 850W /1000W 80-Plus Platinum (Semi-Modular)

Image-Credit: beQuiet

be quiet! has a reputation for offering nothing but the most premium experience if you have the budget. The Dark Power Pro 11 series stays true to the be quiet! name with a silent design.

It ensures that fans don’t spin up at all at lower loads while remaining quite silent even at high loads due to the fluid dynamic bearing fan used in it.

Part Numbers: BN254 || BN654 (1000W) / BN253 || BN653 (850W)

Power Supplies Between 1001W and Above

If you’re shopping at this tier, you’re most likely handling heavy workloads like extended renders using multiple GPUs.

When you’re drawing this much power and distributing it to your undoubtedly expensive components, make sure you’re not compromising on quality at all.

Best 1200W and 1600W Modular Power Supplies

Premium Option #1: be quiet! DARK POWER PRO 11 1200W 80-Plus Platinum (Semi-Modular)

Image-Credit: beQuiet

Premium Option #2: CORSAIR AX1600i 1600W (Fully-Modular)

Image-Credit: Corsair

 

Corsair and be quiet! make top-notch power supplies at the top end of the price stack, and these are excellent options for those wanting to power GPU render-nodes.

If you’re going with something like 4x RTX 2070 Super Graphics cards, the 1200W option should serve you well. However, if you want to use something more powerful, go for the 1600W PSU instead.

Part Numbers: BN255 || BN655 (be quiet!) / CP-9020087 (Corsair)

Although I’ve tried to cover most regions and popular wattages, it’s almost impossible to cover everything.

If there’s a specific PSU you want to ask me about, please do go ahead and leave a comment below. I’ll check it out and let you know!

CGDirector is Reader-supported. When you buy through our links, we may earn an affiliate commission.

Do you need ATX 3.0 support?

When assembling a computer based on high-performance components, one should not forget about the device that will provide them all with electricity. We mean the power supply. If you choose it incorrectly, you can earn yourself a lot of problems, from random reboots to full-fledged hardware failures, and the electricity consumption can turn out to be much more than necessary.

An excellent choice for those who build a powerful PC for gaming or work would be a modern power supply that complies with the ATX 3.0 standard.

Do I need ATX 3.0 support?

The new ATX 3.0 standard brings with it several improvements that directly benefit monstrous graphics cards like the GeForce RTX 4090. Whether it is needed is a relative question. Not all users really need the aforementioned improvements, but they do make building PCs easier and more stable.

The ATX standard was developed by Intel in 1995. It specifies design characteristics for many hardware components. From time to time it is updated in accordance with new trends in the computer industry.

ATX 3.0 is the latest version aimed at the most advanced hardware, including NVIDIA RTX 40 series graphics cards. 12VHPWR pin connector. It’s a stable and secure solution that eliminates the hassle of fiddly adapters, and there are fewer cables inside your computer.

After all, if you want to connect, for example, an RTX 409 video card0 to an old non-ATX 3. 0 power supply, you will have to connect three PCIe cables to the adapter at once, and then insert this adapter into the video card.

If you take the ATX 3.0 power supply, then the new video card will need only one cable, through which it will receive all the electricity it needs.

Power Stability

Graphics cards regularly experience short-term power surges. This has always been the case, but recently it has become more of a problem due to a combination of factors including high power ratings, frequency boost algorithms, and fast power management technologies.

The requirements of the previous version of the ATX standard are no longer suitable for modern graphics cards. For example, in the minimum case, it is enough for the manufacturer to ensure the operation of the power supply with a short-term increase in power consumption by 1.3 times. However, with a high rated power consumption of the device (350W and above), even a 2-fold jump means that the power supply should instantly output up to 700W.

If the video card does not receive the power it needs at this point, the computer will crash — it will restart or freeze. Yes, this situation will be infrequent, but it will occur from time to time.

Most users will not consider such infrequent reboots a serious problem, but for gamers and professionals they will be unacceptable.

ATX 3.0 power supplies handle short-term power surges with confidence. They can withstand graphics card power spikes up to 300% of nominal and general power surges up to 200% of nominal. Therefore, for example, an RTX 4090 video card with a nominal consumption of 450W will be able to get up to 1350W for a short time without causing problems in the operation of such a power supply.

How much power is required for the GeForce RTX 4090 and RTX 4080 graphics cards?

We want to point out right away that our power supply recommendations leave a lot of room for other hardware components to cover as many computer configurations as possible.

NVIDIA RTX 40 series

Intel i5
AMD R5

Intel i7
AMD R7

Intel i9
AMD R9

Intel HEDT
AMD ThreadRipper

NVIDIA RTX 4090

850W

1000W

1000W

1300W

NVIDIA RTX 4080 16G

750W

850W

850W

1000W

NVIDIA RTX 30 episode

Intel i5
AMD R5

Intel i7 9000 AMD R7

Intel i9
AMD R9

Intel HEDT
AMD ThreadRipper

NVIDIA RTX 3090 Ti

850W

1000W

1000W

1300W

NVIDIA RTX 3090

750W

850W

850W

1000W

NVIDIA RTX 3080 TI

750W

850W

850W

1000W

NVIDIA RTX 3080

750W

850W

850W

1000W

NVIDIA RTX 3070 Ti

650W

750W

750W

850W

NVIDIA RTX 3070

650W

650W

750W

850W

NVIDIA RTX 3060 Ti

550W

650W

750W

750W

NVIDIA RTX 3060 12G

550W

550W

650W

750W

NVIDIA RTX 30502 550W

550W

550W

650W 9000W 9000W 9000W 9000W 9000W 9000W0003

MSI ATX 3.

0 Power Supplies

MSI is pleased to introduce a complete line of powerful power supplies designed to meet the needs of next generation hardware components. In addition to complying with the ATX 3.0 standard with all its benefits, they support Gaming Intelligence software features that enhance the user’s experience.

Detailed information about each model can be found on the corresponding page.

MSI 9 Power Supply Range0003

  1. ATX form factor is the most popular form factor with dimensions of 150x86x140, SFX 125×51.5×100 mm with short cables for servers, multimedia systems and TFX 85x65x175 for small cases.
  2. Energy Efficiency Certificate (80 Plus). It reflects the power loss depending on the degree of load and the magnitude of the voltage. The lower the load increase loss, the better the certificate;
  3. Power. Budget models for entry-level office and gaming PCs are power supplies up to 500 W. Then comes the middle segment up to 850 watts. All of the above is a powerful PSU for top-end machines.
  4. Cooling system. Power supplies with active CO have a fan. A semi-passive system involves the presence of a radiator and a cooler. At low load, the heatsink is occupied by the heatsink. At a load above 50% — a fan.
  5. Passive cooling system. Found in entry-level power supplies. There is no fan, only a radiator.

See all

Contents

  1. Best Computer Power Supply Ranking
  2. Best Inexpensive Power Supply (under 500W)
  3. be quiet! Dark Power 12 1000W
  4. COUGAR GX1050
  5. Deepcool PQ1000M
  6. Zalman WATTTERA ZM1200-EBTII 1200W
  7. How to choose a good power supply for your computer?
  8. What is the best power supply to buy in 2022-2023?
  9. Answers to frequently asked questions
  10. How to calculate the power supply for a computer?
  11. Why is it important to have a powerful power supply in a PC?
  12. Should I prefer a PSU with a semi-passive cooling system?
  13. Do I need a braid on the wires?

Rating of the best computer power supplies

Best inexpensive power supplies (up to 500 W)

Entry-level power supply with reduced energy efficiency. Suitable for workstations, computers with integrated graphics and super-budget gaming PCs. In this case, the brand name plays an important role in this. We have collected time-tested, reliable solutions from renowned companies.

Thermaltake Smart RGB 500W

3500

Unlocks the top 15 low-end PC power supplies from Thermaltake. The line power of 15 W is declared in the region of 420 W, this is a standard braid of wires. Like most civil servants, the wires were made to be non-detachable to avoid energy loss. Please note that 50% of the body is covered with perforated mesh. This will no doubt greatly increase the cooling capacity, but the dust will clog much faster. Next to the port for connecting the power cable is a button to turn on / off the backlight. Practical if there is no need for additional lighting.

A fairly large anti-interference filter is visible from the inside. The voltage rectifier, also known as a diode bridge, is soldered without a heatsink. All components are placed at a sufficient distance from each other, the system is cooled by a standard 120mm fan.

Advantages/disadvantages +

  • 5 year warranty;
  • Background lighting;
  • Good airflow;
  • Braided wires;
  • Backlight off button.

  • Line deviation 12 V;
  • Bad capacitors;
  • Excellent dust collector.

AeroCool VX Plus

2000

If you don’t know which power supply to buy, we recommend the AeroCool VX Plus. This is a 450-watt source for non-gaming office and home computers. In all its elements, there is a focus on savings. For example, the absence of a metal grill is justified by slots made right in the lid. Let’s pay tribute to the good processing of the metal, there are no sharp edges and burrs.

No scythe either. To protect the wires from damage, the input is closed with a rubber gasket. The power supply does not have a current corrector, but is configured for increased output voltage stability. Therefore, it is better to use the source in non-gaming PCs, where there are no large drops in voltage consumption.

Pros/Cons +

  • 2 year warranty;
  • Good voltage regulation;
  • Simple design and maintenance.

  • Simplified;
  • Cannot withstand large power surges.

Cooler Master MWE 400

3100

This very high quality power supply uses a hybrid of modern topologies. The primary half-bridge+LCC combined with the secondary DC-DC output provides a stable cross-load voltage and converts it efficiently. Voltage deviations on the 12 W and 3.3 W lines are minimal, as is the voltage on all lines. You will actually get an 80 Plus White certified block, but somehow it falls short of the 80 Plus Bronze. The fan speed will depend on the temperature inside the cabinet.

Advantages/disadvantages +

  • Modern technologies;
  • Flat cables.

  • Partial wear of the component base.

HIPRO HPE-350W

1800

For those who want to find an inexpensive but good power supply for an office computer, we recommend the little-known HIPRO HPE-350W. Gives out its honest 350 watts. The parts are soldered evenly, the optimal distance between the radiator and the condensers is chosen for efficient cooling. A plus was the availability of a full set of LC filter circuits. Long cables allow you to connect up to 4 SATA drives, there is a 6-pin power connector for the video card, 2×4 pins for the CPU. The threads are hidden in a classic fishnet stocking. Noises and knocks are not observed.

Strengths/disadvantages +

  • Good design;
  • Classic symmetrical building plan;
  • Optimum cable length and stiffness.

  • Budget equipment, minimum wiring.

Zalman Wattbit II ZM500-XEII

3000

The best 500W power supply, according to the editors, is the Zalman Wattbit II 500W model. The advantage of completing this PSU was a complete set, you will not find bolts and ties for cable management everywhere. The braid is only on the main 24-pin connector. When you look at the sticker and take measurements, you will find that there is a voltage of 450-455 watts on the 12 watt line. Compared to the Cougar STE 500, there is no power factor correction here, but the STE 500 itself has not been seen on the shelves of our stores for a long time.

But still, the manufacturer did not save money and provided his offspring with protection against short circuits, overvoltages and overloads. Given the current market situation, you won’t find a better deal for an affordable PC.

Advantages/disadvantages +

  • High reliability;
  • Quality soldering;
  • Low noise;
  • Braid for 24 pins.

  • No active PFC.

The best power supplies in the middle segment (up to 850 W)

The most popular part. There are many models, the choice is wide. There are models with all the signs of pre-top options. Compatible with most equipment. It is worth saying that the cost of equipment can vary greatly depending on the certificate, the number of fans and their sizes. If you are not sure that you are ready to buy such equipment yourself, do not forget to take into account the selection recommendations given at the end of the publication.

Deepcool Aurora DP-BZ-DA500N

3300

The Deepcool Aurora DP-BZ-DA500N completes the line of power supplies up to 700W. This is a good solution for the case when you need to choose a PSU with all the necessary minimum and without overpayments. It will pull bundles with Ryzen 2600/3600 but without overclocking. The 1660 Super video card will be the ideal choice for pairing. Stronger iron is not recommended. The PSU is made soundly, but for many years it will not be enough. With long-term operation at maximum load, after 3 years, the element base begins to collapse. It squeaks from the throttle, energy efficiency decreases, the fan bearing wears out, which may cause a characteristic crack.

Strengths/disadvantages +

  • Famous brand;
  • Good construction;
  • Reasonable price.

  • Rapid decomposition of elements.

Zalman GigaMax(GVII)

5800

Zalman suggested a good quality power supply. Most marketing images are misleading, as this is not a modular PSU. It differs from its counterparts in red 8-pin connectors for supplying power to video cards. There is almost nothing to grab onto in the design, except for the unusual grille above the fan, which will draw attention. Some more interesting technical stuffing. There are 9 types of protection0006 OPP, OCP, OVP, OTP, UVP and SCP. There is also active PFC, power factor correction. The product has received 80 Plus Bronze certification, at 750 W rated power, the power supply delivers 744 W.

Advantages/disadvantages +

  • Nylon webbing;
  • Hydrodynamic propeller bearing;
  • Massive passive cooling;
  • Good capacitors.

  • Fan hums.

Cooler Master MWE Bronze 750

7000

Another good 750W PSU for a number of specs. CoolerMaster is one of the most controversial manufacturers out there. Phenomenal power ratio on the bus + 12VDC and nominal. The installed typical fan manufactured by Dongguan Honghua Electronic Technology adequately copes with its tasks. According to the results of testing the load characteristics of the PSU, a deviation from the nominal +12V DC of less than 1% was revealed. It is on this channel that it holds the voltage best, which means it can easily cope with heavy loads, even with two RTX 3070 video cards.0003

The installed components will be enough for trouble-free operation for 5-6 years, but periodic maintenance will not hurt.

Advantages/disadvantages +

  • Very high efficiency;
  • Relatively easy to understand;
  • Flat black wires.

  • Cord length.

be quiet! Straight Power 11

12000

Another reliable power source — Be Quiet! Straight Power 11. Like all representatives of the line, it has an elegant design, the protective grille consists of 14 metal tubes. After examining the Power 11 circuit, we found a general similarity to FSP, but with significant improvements. The presence of an updated discharge chip testifies to the general freshness of the development. The quality of soldering and the general arrangement of elements in relation to each other does not raise questions, it is clear that the engineers did their best.

Power source — 850 W. In the 12 W line, it is in no way inferior to the GEX850, the efficiency is the same 849.6 W. Finally, let’s mention the branded 135mm SilentWings 3 fan with hydrodynamic bearing and profiled blades. There are no anti-vibration elements, as well as a semi-passive mode of operation, FSP considers them redundant, given the high quality of noiselessness!

Advantages/disadvantages +

  • Low ripple;
  • Quality, quiet cooling;
  • High voltage stability;
  • Complete modularity.

  • Price.

COUGAR GEX850

9000

Best 750W PSU in 2022-2023 — COUGAR GEX850. He will easily pull a bunch of Intel Core-13600/13700 + RTX3070. The first trump card is the ambient temperature increased to +40 degrees. Another big plus is the 5 year warranty. Not a record, but nice, we often see competitors for 1-2 years. Mounting dimensions are listed as 180mm, so the GEX850 will be difficult to fit into compact cases. The +12Vdc bus power to full power ratio was almost 100%, and the 12V line efficiency is claimed to be 849.6 W at rated power 850 W. The length of each ribbon wire will be 77 centimeters, you can swing when mounted in a Full Tower. The fan with a diameter of 120 mm is equipped with a deflector and reinforced blades.

The only defect can be identified during disassembly. The board has a diverse system of spare parts, most of all questions are caused by the neighborhood of excellent Nippon Chemi-Con capacitors with not the best Elite capacitors.

Strengths/disadvantages +

  • Best energy efficiency;
  • Big warranty;
  • elevated temperature ceiling;
  • In general, a good stuffing.

  • Jumping fan.

The best premium power supplies (from 800 W)

The most powerful representatives of the market. Suitable for any system, has maximum energy efficiency and other improvements. If you are looking for power supplies for future gaming builds or workstations, these models deserve your attention.

Corsair RM850x 850W

11000

Available in both classic black and white versions. A fully modular braided cable set covers all your needs for connecting drives, graphics cards and other system components. Thanks to Japanese capacitors, ventilation and individual internal elements, it was possible to achieve a maximum operating temperature of 105 degrees. To save energy, a semi-passive cooling system is provided, represented by radiators and a 135 mm fan. The maximum power on the 12V line will be 849W, and the average efficiency is 99%.

Strengths/disadvantages +

  • Equipment;
  • Quality components;
  • High operating temperature ceiling.

  • Not suitable for trusses and some fences due to cables.

be quiet! Dark Power 12 1000W

23000

If you want to buy a powerful power supply for your computer and are not constrained by funds, we recommend that you take a closer look at Dark Power 12. The body of the module is made of sheet steel, plus there is a real ventilation grill combined with a dust filter. It will not delay small particles, but it will protect against large particles of dust, feathers and wool. It is noteworthy that the manufacturer warns against disassembling the PSU, referring to the lack of repairable parts inside. The number of wires available to the eye is enough for an assembly of any complexity. Energy efficiency meets the 80 Plus Titanium standard.

At maximum load, the noise level does not exceed 35 dB. Firstly, this is the advantage of a 135 mm fan with ribbed blades and a rotation speed of up to 2100 rpm. Let’s face it — for such a price, this product is recommended primarily to fans of the brand and connoisseurs of a decent appearance. But in terms of performance, this is a very high-quality power supply.

Strengths/disadvantages +

  • Multiple protections and certifications available:
  • Efficient and silent;
  • Soft cables;
  • Does not stink;
  • Titanium certified.

  • Very high price;
  • High start.

COUGAR GX1050

10,000

Traditionally, all premium computer power supplies from Cougar are characterized by a balance between price and quality. The design is made in a semi-modular version, 24-pin non-removable. All cables have a standard translucent braid used in the company’s products. In the 12W line, the GX1050 puts out 1020W, which is 80 Plus Gold certified. The length of the wires is enough for installation in any case, including the Full Tower.

140mm fan made by Young Lin Tech is used for cooling. It is based on a roller bearing, from the factory the speed is set to 1850 rpm. In practice, this provides good cooling, but also increases background noise, especially when consuming more than 750 watts. The use of high-quality capacitors and semiconductors made it possible to make the PSU not only powerful, but also economical.

Advantages / disadvantages +

  • Semi-modular design;
  • 140mm fan;
  • Long wires;
  • Distinctive design.

  • This makes a lot of noise.

Deepcool PQ1000M

13000

The internals of the computer power supply are very reminiscent of premium brands, especially Seasonic. Of the minuses, we immediately note short wires — with an installation size of 160 mm, you will not surprise anyone. There is a two-position cooling mode — active and semi-passive. In semi-passive mode, the fan stops completely when the load is less than 50%. When unpacking you will see a complete set of wires, spare parts and tapes. Satisfied with the use of components from Nippon Chemi-Con, Nichicon and other well-known Japanese brands. The presence of polymer capacitors indicates the highest level of performance.

A Honghua HA1225h22F-Z 7-blade 120mm fan operating at speeds up to 2200 rpm is installed as an active cooler. As a result, we get a good power supply with all types of protection and efficiency at low and medium loads.

Advantages / disadvantages +

  • High load capacity;
  • Low thermal load;
  • Japanese capacitors;
  • Fluid dynamic fan bearing.

  • Only three power connectors for graphics cards.

Zalman WATTTERA ZM1200-EBTII 1200W

14000

The most powerful computer power supply in our rating is the model from Zalman. And yes, we know about Superflower and Seasonic, but at the beginning of 2023 they simply do not exist, or they are sold by the piece. The module is made in a standard ATX form factor and is suitable for most modern cases. Can be installed in top configuration on Ryzen 5900 in conjunction with RTX 4090. An active cooling system is installed, an interesting solution, given the desire of many companies to make their top products with semi-passive systems. The efficiency of the active system is provided by a 135mm fan.

With a rich package and many cables, the owner can connect components without getting tangled in wires. There are red and blue ports on the back. The blue ones are nothing but ports for voltage measurement cables that help monitor the voltage of the 24-pin wire. Please note that the included cables are in a flat form factor to make them easier to route.

Pros/Cons +

  • Accurate voltage control;
  • Convenient routing of long cables;
  • Large and powerful fan;
  • Very quiet operation;
  • Transport bag.

  • No.

How to choose a good power supply for your computer?

If you do not know how to choose a power supply, remember — this is not the item to save on. A poor-quality power supply can fail and take the rest of the components with it. Therefore, we did not mention Aerocool, Gygabite, ExeGate and other companies that have problems with the component base or use low-quality Chinese components, but at the same time are full of backlighting and other decorative elements.

  • Protection. In any PSU there should be three levels of protection: from short circuit, from overvoltage, from overcurrent. This is the minimum that guarantees you safety during operation.
  • Certificate of Compliance — There are several grades from 80+ to 80+ Titanium. At the same time, bronze 80+ (efficiency on damage 85%), silver (87%), gold (87-90%) and platinum 80+ (90-94%) are considered the golden mean. The final choice depends on the complexity of the system.
  • Efficiency — The higher the efficiency, the more efficient this PC component is when dealing with peak loads. This indicator is indicated in «%» and is argued by the class, as described below.
  • Number of fans — even for top-end gaming systems, it hardly makes sense to focus on a PSU with more than 2 fans. The larger the fan, the quieter it will run. 140mm turntables work especially well. In combination with passive aluminum cooling fins, you achieve energy savings and noise reduction.
  • Cabling system — available as modular, semi-modular and non-modular. The latter has a one-piece design and does not provide for the installation of additional cables. In modular systems, each cable is respectively removable, and special sockets are used for fastening. Modularity has a positive effect on the convenience of cable laying, but due to the intermediate link in the form of a moving wire, power loss can occur over time.

What is the best power supply to buy in 2022-2023?

Finally, we would like to express the opinion of the editors. If you do not know which power supply to buy for your computer, pay attention to the following models:

  1. Good and affordable — Zalman Wattbit II ZM500-XEII;
  2. The best price / quality power supply — COUGAR GEX850;
  3. For 1050W Gaming PC — COUGAR GX1050;
  4. The most powerful power supply — Zalman WATTTERA ZM1200-EBTII 1200W.

Once again we remind you that we form the top based on the availability of goods in stores. Unfortunately, recent events have greatly reduced the range, including high quality products such as Seasonic and Super Flower. All these products are certainly worthy of attention and are in stock today. Otherwise, be guided by your preferences and budget.

Answers to popular questions

Our expert Vladislav Sorokin answers readers’ questions:

How to calculate the power supply for a computer?

The easiest way is to use the calculator (https://www.bequiet.com/en/psucalculator). Remember that cards consume an average of 25-35 W, processors 50-150 W, graphics cards up to 1000 W, drivers up to 60 W. We will pay special attention to the video card. There are 2 parameters to consider: consumption during operation and at startup (recommended power supply). By specifying data about your components in the windows, you will receive a calculation of consumption and recommendations for choosing a PSU with different load levels. Add a power reserve of 30% to the result to eliminate the energy deficit.

Why is it important to have a powerful power supply in a PC?

Powerful power supply to keep your components running smoothly and for a long time. There are frequent cases when the sources could not withstand the load and exploded, burning video cards, motherboards and other components. Therefore, it is not worth saving on the PSU.

Should I prefer a PSU with a semi-passive cooling system?

We believe that energy saving, like silence, is a good thing. Is it worth it to overpay for additional comfort, you decide. But if you don’t care about noise, you can buy a PSU with active cooling, a high-speed fluid dynamic bearing fan, and not know the problems.